Team Goemkarponn
ALDONA: Aldona Congress MLA Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferreira has criticised the Mapusa Police for registering an FIR against deceased Samuel Garvyn de Braganza in connection with alleged illegal weapon possession, calling the move “illegal and malicious”.
Samuel had died by suicide in Mapusa after a video showing him allegedly dumping garbage in an open area was circulated widely.
Reacting to the FIR, Adv. Carlos said an FIR cannot be registered against a deceased person as its purpose is to investigate an offence and prosecute the accused.
“I told the SP that in criminal jurisprudence you don’t file an FIR against a dead person. The purpose of an FIR is to register an offence, investigate and punish the accused through prosecution. If the accused is dead, there is no question of an FIR,” he said.
He alleged that naming Samuel as an accused after his death showed “additional malice” and could be an attempt to portray him as a criminal.
Adv. Carlos also questioned the earlier case registered over the garbage dumping incident, stating that the available video did not clearly establish the offence and questioned the basis for invoking the relevant section.
He said an inquiry should also be conducted into the circumstances surrounding the registration of the FIR, adding that a person should not lose dignity and respect after death merely because a police case has been filed.
Mapusa Police have registered the case and further inquiry is underway.
